Hackers target research from UK universities
Data confirms a rise in cyberattacks within higher education, posing a threat to national security
British universities face hundreds of successful cyberattacks each year, according to new data gathered by The Times.
The scale of the problem is getting worse, the paper says, with the number of reported cybersecurity breaches doubling in the past two years to 1,152 in 2016-17.
Scientific, engineering and medical research is believed to have been compromised, and while universities have declined to reveal the specific content affected, "research into missiles, stealth fabric - used to help disguise military vehicles and weapons - and energy... is thought to be among the targets", The Times says.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It is likely that nation states are behind the hacks, several senior university staff claimed, with one institution reportedly tracing the bulk of its attacks to China, Russia and the Far East.
As well as seizing important intellectual property, criminal groups are reportedly targeting students' personal data for money laundering and identity theft - as well as for blackmail purposes.
It is feared that the latests attacks are only the tip of the iceberg. Most universities have such “fundamentally backward-looking” defences that many attacks are likely to go untraced, Dave Palmer, the director of technology at cybersecurity company Darktrace, told The Times.
The new data follows earlier warnings that British universities are woefully unprepared to cope with increasing cyberthreats, including a study in March 2016 that found that more than a third of UK universities were hit by a successful cyberattack every hour.
The National Cyber Security Centre said it is "working on the ways that protection might be extended to universities", but urged all organisations to create robust online security systems. "We can't do this alone", it said.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
'People in general want workers to earn a decent living'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Anti-Israel protests impact a Jewish-rooted university
The Explainer The president of Brandeis University resigned as a result of multiple factors, including his handling of recent protests
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why are so many colleges closing?
Today's Big Question 'Enrollment cliffs' and higher tuition both play a role
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
UK universities: why higher education is in crisis
The Explainer A combination of spiralling costs and fewer international students is leaving universities in serious financial trouble
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Last updated
-
USC under fire for canceling valedictorian speech
Speed Read Citing safety concerns, the university canceled a pro-Palestinian student's speech
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
FBI arrests Cornell student for allegedly threatening to rape and murder Jews
Speed Read The junior engineering student reportedly confessed to posting the vile messages to a Greek life online forum
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Can British universities keep up with global rivals?
Today's big question UK is losing ground to competitors, with China edging up the rankings
By Felicity Capon Published
-
Pros and cons of the International Baccalaureate
Pros and Cons IB offers a more holistic education and international outlook but puts specialists looking to study in the UK at a disadvantage
By The Week Staff Published
-
The class of ‘23: worst off school-leavers yet?
Talking Point The generation who lost critical months of schooling and weren’t able to sit their GCSEs now approaching a dysfunctional university
By The Week Staff Published